Ship-ventilator closing and opening mechanism



fin. 25,1927. w H BORROW 7 SHIP VENTILATOR CLOSING AND OPENING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 5. 1921 a 1 2a /7 /0 2! a S-VVUQMtQ'L M7117. 1901/0 61x zmmm Patented Jan 25, 1927.

pair-so STATES '1WILL 1-1.:3'9330327, .QF"SE,A'ETLE, IWASHINGTON.

Application filed November. 3,..1921. Serial No. 512,455.

My invention relates to mechanism for closing and opening ventilators of a ship.

It is. absolutely essential that. thehold of a ship be provided with ventilators. Otherwise many types of cargo will be destroyed, to. say nothing. of the absolute necessityof providing such ventilation for .the ships ,crew and others who maybe located below deck. 'Totliis and, pipes with largecowls al'enlounte d above deck. Vilhen a storm breaksfthe ends of these pipes must be closed to ,prevent water from passing directly v down the; same to the hold of the ship.

)Ineffecting the. closing of thesepipes, the common practice is to place a cover over the sameaaiid securely lash a piece of canvas over this cover,-said pipes having no other means forv closing. Since an ordinary cargo. sh-iphasas many as thirty to sixty of these vents,,v.manifestly, it is a task which requiresfiagreat deal of; time to accomplish and requires a considerable number of the ships crew, whose servicesunder such circumstances may be most advantageously employed otherwise.

A cover of metal .has been suggested which. is permitted to hang on a, hook providedwithin.the cowl whenthe ventilator isin open position. Upon the approach of a storm, this. metalcover isremoved and placed upon the end of the ventilators coan iing or casing and clamped in posit-ion, much-after. the manner of the porthole win dows or muchas thev covers of steam cookersare clamped into position,,each cover having: a plurality .of clamping mechanisms. The objection to this. means of closing the ventilator openings is. that the. covers for suchpurposes weighnormally as muchsas onehundred pounds. and .often .more. and it is manifestly ;no small, task therefore in the case ofa rollingand pitching vessel for the operator to lift olfthis heavy coverfrom its; hookand place the. same in position for clamping. and then proceedto clamp the same. All of whichrequires considerable time since. the operator .mustmove into clamping position each ..of the clamping mechanisms of the cover after. positioning the cover.

Another ineanshas been suggested for closing the said vent openings consisting of a cover hingedly .nziounted inside. and on the rear side of the cowl and 'slopingforward so that water maybe drained ed. The :ob-"

jection to this'form of means is that in case of the breaking cit of the, cowl; there is no protection afforded against the inrushof Water.

"The importance of the shortness of time which is requiredto open-and close any mechanism of the "characterunder consideration will be manifest from the following: The v-essels walls are of steeland very openly feXpo-Eed to changesdn temperature so that acondensation of the moisture'of the air,- commonly known as sweating occurs onthe vessels walls on the inside of the vessel with the result that thewal'ls become very damp and Water appears on said Walls in the form of large globulesmuch after the manner of refrigerator -w'a'lls. Many classes of cargo, particularly grain, are quickly-ruinedand their Value greatly depreciatedowing to this dampness arising from the condensation occurring on the walls of the, vessel. This condition demands that advantage be taken of, any temporary lull in a storm toventilate and completely change the air in the vi hold of the vessel. Hence suchtask must be possible of accomplishment in a Very short time, otherwise, the danger from inrushing water forbids taking advantage-of said temporary lullin the storm'for ventilating purposes.

On the other hand the rapid closing of the pipe openings is manifestly equally important in the. case of fire injthe hold of the vessel. On such occasions thenumber of duties per member of the screw is so great that the shortening. of time required to accomplish any one of the duties ,adds greatly to thegeneral security since it releases such member for service'for an uneapected emergency. Promptly cutting ofi the. air, or smoldering the fire may he often the mosteflicient means of extinguishing the fire owing to its being located in places difiicult ofaccess.

In general, the objects of any invention is to overcome 1, these objections above,noted.

Aprimary object of my invention is to provide a mechanism'for opening and closing the ventilator openings which consists of a cover ,maintained in position so, that no liftmg of the same is required or a cover which fill is releasably secured and therefore guided during its manipulation into closed and open position and which may be quickly clamped into position by an operator. A further primary object of my invention is to provide such a ventilator closing and opening mechanism as may be utilized in connection with a cowl as normally found upon a ship and not interfere with the operation of said cowl while maintained within the coaming opening and which may be moved into closed position quickly and without any lifting on the part of the operator, and which is inde* pendent of said cowl. A further primary object of my invention is to provide such an opening and closing mechanism as may itself operate as a cowl when not disposed in closed position. Finally. a primary object of my invention is to provide a cover which may be clamped into final closed position by a single clamping member.

The above mentioned general. objects of my invention together with others inherent in the same are attained by the mechanism illu trated in the following drawings. the same being merely preferred exemplary forms of embodiment of my invention. throughout which drawings like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a view in section of a ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying my invention, illustrating the same in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view of the same in elevation,

" illustrating the same in open position;

Fig. 3 is a view of the same in cross section on broken line 8, 3 of F ig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view of a detail, that is, the clamping member of the same;

5 is a view in reduced scale of a modified form of cowl specially adapted For operation in conjunction with my invention 1 Fig. 6 is a view of a modified form of clamping member;

Fig. 7 is a view of a modified form o t a ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying my invention; and

Fig. 8 is a view of a modified form of a detail of the same.

In the end portion of a ship ventilator casing 9, an annular seat 10 is secured by rivet-- ing or otherwise. In this seat a packing groove 11 is located, preferably on the outer periphery of the upper side, and in this groove, packing 12 of suitable material. as rubber. preferably rectangular in form, is disposed.

A cover 13 is provided to lit upon said angular seat the outer edge 14; of which cover is preferably beveled so that it presents an extended bearing surface against the compressed packing 12. which connnresi-siou occurs upon the cover being forced into final closing position as will be more fully here inafter set forth. The cover 13, cross-sectionally considered, is preferably of a crown form 15 about the center and a flat peripheral portion 16 is preferably of a width which will permit the same to be cut down to adapt said cover to be formed into varying sizes for different sized ventilators. Two depending lugs 17 are preferably provided on the under side of said cover, as well as a hole 18 axially disposed therethrongh. These lugs have elongated openings 19. On top of the cover handles 20 are provided to be used in turning the cover when screwing the same down as hereinafter set forth.

In the said end portion of the ventilator under said cover, means to maintain said cover in open and closed position is provided consisting of a holding member 21, preferably a spider, which supports longitudinally of said end portion a sleeve 22, preferably threaded. In this sleeve 22 a worm 23 is positioned, one end of which is provided with a shoulder 24- and a tongue disposed between said lugs 17 depending from said cover and in this tongue a transverse opening 26 is placed. A clamping member 27 extends through the axially disposed hole 18 of said cover. the lower end 28 of which clamping member 27 is disposed in said transverse opening of said tongue 25. A. pin 29 extending through said tongue and said lower end of said clamping member 27 constitutes a pivotal connection between the said parts. A cam 30 with handle 31 is pivotally connected to said clamping memher 27 by means of pin A spring 23 urges the clamping member 27 downwardly. For convenience of manufacture I preferably form the upper portion of the worm 2 including the tongue 25 separately and so cure the two parts together ay a pin 34 which holds the worm fast in recess 35. all purposes herein comrerned said p be considered integrally tlormed. (in one of the lugs 17 a snap 36 only be provided to project in small depression .37 in the tongu 25 to rcleasably hold the cover at various angles as respects the worm A cowl 58 of conventional form may be positioned upon said upper end portion of the ventilator casing A thumb nut 3 ma be provided to clamp the cover in anv (lGS' I'tT-Tl position.

The modified form of cowl ltlshovvn in 5 may be slidably mounted upon said end portion of the ventilator casino. and when the ventilator opening and closing mechanism constituting mv invention in closed position, said modified form of cowl 40 could be dropped by releasing wing: nut 41. to a position such that no portion of said cowl extends above the end of said ventilator casing so that danger of the eowl being broken off or injured in a heavy sea greatly reduced.

Instead of the clamping member 2. havthe term of a spiral extending transversely of the sleeve-while the upper portioni9 ot said slot slopes downwardly"to prevent a projection 50 carriedhy the rod 45 heing jarred'out otengagement therewith. A key 51 hingedly secured to the cover 13"t'unetions to lock the cover 13 in closed position when said hey 'isopushed into locking position in the recess 152*for1'1'ied -iir the cover IVS-and the annular seat" 10.

V in Figi 8 a modified tormot the upper end portion of the rod 45 is shown having a'redueed portion 53*ot' square form slidahly embraced by the lugs 5 L oi the cover 13 and with the threaded screw portion 55 on which a nut with handle similar to the nut igand handle L4; shown in Fig. 6 maybe disposed.

The operation of the ship ventilator opening and closing mechanism embodying 'my invention is as follows:

\Vhen it is desired to close the ventilator,

the operator need oi1ly"reach' in the open end'o'l the cowl and depress the cover 13 into a horizontal position. A small sudden shove or blow will -overeo1nethe holding ette'etot the snap 36. Then byseizing the handle O the-operator mayscrew' down the cover into, or nearly into, Contact with theppacking 12. "The steep pitchor the thread of the worm 23 permits this lowering part of the operation to be accomplished quickly. l'lhen pushing the han'dleSO into horizontal position, operates 'todepress 'the covers that is, to clamp it-into finalelose'd p 'ionas shown iii-Fig.1; the beveled edge 11 refining a tightoint with the eon'ipressed packing 12,' the material forming the X- tight lit together with the pressure caused by the eaurih).

In effecting this closing operation it will be noted that the-ope-rator has-no lifting to do and that the cover is supported iii-all positions to be moved, without l i iiting, into such other positions as the-occasion may require. The cover 1 13 may be turned into any'dcsircd position as the cowl is turned it desired. *The projectingshoulder 24' limits the screwing down of the cover '13 so: that thereisno turning movement of the cover 'over the edges-0t the packing '12. The final elan'ipingds aehieved by a direct movement downward at the eoa-er'upon the packing by operating the 00111 30 so that it presses-down the cover The elongated openings 19 in the/"lugs 17--permit saideoventoanove relative the worm- 2S and-the clampingmenn ber' 27. "lfihelugs 17't unotion-in the ca paeity-pt a wrench as respects the tongue portion 250i the worm 23- and-are of great advantage although-not indispensable. Manite'stly since there isbut one clainping gniember tobe operated, the closingot the ventilator requires itheminiinum ot' time and-no attention relative to proper positioning.

1 @hviousiywa ventilator easing or combing providedwi th my opening and elosingmechanism may dispense with a cowl altogether since theeo-ver l3 itself may 'be disposed at"therneeessary-angle to function asadefieetoritorexample, as shown-in dotted line 56 in 'g. 2,- the snap-36 serving to hold the cover iin desired tilted position.

"T he *modified form shown in 'Fig. 6 =inani *testly provides for the depressing of the eorer 13- upon screwing down the nut 43 upon the threaded portion 42' of "the clamping inemher' 27.

turning 1 force applied through the handles '20w1ll cause the cover to engage tightly with the packing 12, whereupon the key' 51 may be' dropped into locking position and the eover 13 thus maintainedin looked position.

The lower portion of -the slot 4L8 could extendd ireetly transverse instead of spirally and themodified form-of the cover 13 shown in Fig. 8 could be employed so thatno turniug motion as respects the pa cking 12- would follow.

(Obviously, changes Inay be made in the form; dimensions; and ar "angement of the parts of my invention,'without departing i -rom the principle thereo'fi the above setting posed shoulder of siudpaeking' insuringa mechanism embodying a cover an annular seat providedon theend portionot the ventilator ooa1i'nng -to-wlnchthe closing and opening mechanism is applied; cower holding means operativ'ely disposed '111' said end portion comprising asleeve and means operativelyniounted in said sleevefor supporting said cover; -means depending from said cover lay-which said cover is mounted-upon saidmeans in said sleeve rota-tably with respectto said seat; and-meansengaging said cover holding means, whereby said cover-may be moved in one direction only, namely, longitudinally of said end portion, into final closing position.

2. A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying a cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator roaming to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; cover holding means operatively disposed in said end portion comprising a grooved sleeve and a worm; means depending from said cover by which said cover is mounted upon said Worm rotatably with respect to said seat; and means engaging said cover holding means, whereby said cover may be moved in one direction only, namely, longitudinally of said end portion, into final closing position.

A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying a cover; an annular f seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator coaming to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; cover holding means operatively disposed in said end portion com n'ising a grooved sleeve and a worm; means slidably disposed in said cover and pivotally connected to and mounted upon said worm; and means engaging said slidably disposed cover means whereby said cover may be moved in one direction only, namely, longitudinally of said end portion, into final closing position.

A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying a cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator coaming to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; means to maintain said cover in closed and open position consisting of a holding member secured in said end portion, a grooved sleeve supported by said holding member longitudinally of said end portion and a worm mounted in said sleeve and pivotally secured to said cover whereby said cover is secured in closed or open position upon said annular seat; means to hold said cover in desired tilted position; and means whereby said cover may be moved in one direction only, namely longitudinally of said end portion, into final closing position.

5. A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying a cover having a hole axially disposed therethrough and having two lugs depending from the under side of said cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator coaming to which the closing and opening mechanisn'i is applied; and means to maintain said cover in closed and open position comprising a grooved sleeve arranged longitudinally oi? said end portion, a worm mounted in said sleeve, one end of said worm having a tongue disposed between said lugs depending from said cover, said tongue having a transverse opening therethrough, a clamping member extending through the axially disposed hole of said cover, the lower end of which clamping member is disposed in said transverse opening, a pin extending through said tongue and said lower end of said clamping member whereby the two are pivotally connected and means to clamp said cover in closed position.

6. A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying a cover having a hole axially disposed therethrough and having two lugs depending from the under side of said cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator eoaming to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; and means to maintain said cover in closed and open position comprising a grooved sleeve arranged longitudinally of said end portion, a worm mounted in said sleeve, one end of said worm having a tongue disposed between said lugs depending from said cover, said tongue having a transverse opening therethrough, a clamping member extending through the axially disposed hole of said cover, the lower end of which clamping member is disposed in said transverse opening, a pin extending through said tongue and said lower end of said clamping member whereby the two are pivotally connected and cam means to clamp said cover in closed position.

7. A ship ventilator closing and opening, mechanism embodying a cover having a hole axially disposed therethrough and having two lugs depending from the under side of said cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion ol the ventilator coaming to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; and means to maintain said cover in closed and open position comprising, a grooved sleeve arranged longitudinally of said end portion, a worm mounted in said sleeve, one end of said worm having a tongue disposed between said lugs depending from said cover, said tongue having a transverse opening therethrough, a clamping member extending through the axially disposed hole of said cover, the lower end of which clamping member is disposed in said transverse opening, a pin extending through said tongue and said lower end of said clamping member whereby the two are pivotally conneeted, a spring on said clamping means, and cam means to clamp said cover in closed position.

8. A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying a cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator coaming, to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; cover holding means operatively disposed in said end portion comprising a grooved sleeve and a worm connected to said cover operatively disposed in said sleeve; means whereby the screwing down movement of the cover is stopped at a predetermined point; and

no. 6d

means whereby said cover may be moved in one direction only, namely longitudinally of said end portion, into final closing position.

9. A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying a cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator coaming to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; cover holding means operatively disposed in said end portion comprising a sleeve and means depending from said cover which engages with said sleeve; means whereby the movement of the cover in said sleeve is stopped at a predetermined point; and means whereby said cover may be moved in one direction only, namely longitudinally of said end portion, into final closing position.

10. A ship ventilator closing and opening mechanism embodying'a cover; an annular seat provided on the end portion of the ventilator coaming to which the closing and opening mechanism is applied; cover liolding means operatively disposed in said end portion comprising a grooved sleeve and a worm pivo-tally connected to said cover operatively disposed in said sleeve; means whereby the screwing down movement of the cover is stopped at a predetermined point; and means whereby said cover may be moved in one direction only, namely longitudinally of said end portion, into final closing position.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 27th day of October, A. D.

WVILL H. BORROW. 

